Week 10: April 10-16
Fan the Flame
II Timothy 1:6
For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands,
As Paul opens this letter, he pours his heart out about how much he loves his “dear son” in the faith, Timothy. In verse 5 Paul makes reference to Timothy’s “sincere” faith that he received from the example of his godly mother and grandmother. Paul focuses Timothy on remembering what has been given to him - a godly heritage. In verse 6 Paul talks about the gifts Timothy has been given for ministry. Timothy has been given much in his life, and he needs to remember that in order to follow through with what Paul is about tell him to do.
Paul tells Timothy to “fan into flame the gift of God.” Fanning a flame is a great visual picture. At some level we are all intrigued by fire! Even little children love to throw trash into a campfire to watch the destructive power of the flame eat a napkin or a soda can. But if you are like me, you have sometimes found it difficult to keep a campfire going. Many times I have huffed and puffed on embers or a small flame in hopes of re-igniting a roaring fire.
That is what Paul is talking about. The passion and roar of our spiritual life that was ignited at salvation and burned intensely in the past can cool to a small flame or smoldering coals. General Booth, the founder of the Salvation Army, once sent this message to those under him: “The tendency of fire is to go out; watch the fire on the altar of your heart.” Anyone who has tended a fireplace knows that it needs to be stirred up occasionally. (1) But if it is hit with a blast of air and given some dry wood, it quickly becomes a roaring blaze emitting heat and light for all to see.
What does this look like in real life? Use the gifts God has given you, and exercise your spiritual muscles. Get in the Word, get in prayer, share the gospel, dig in and focus at church. James 4 says, draw close to God and He will draw close to you. This isn’t complicated - simply focus on your spiritual walk. And don’t forget, if you are a believer, you have been given much! Don’t let your salvation and your gifts decay and waste away. Use them! Fan the flame!
Pray Together
- Pray that God helps you to fan into flame the spiritual gifts that are in you. Check out this link for opportunties to use your gifts at Harvest: http://harvestdetroitwest.org/connect/volunteer/
- Pray that God will create an opportunity for a Gospel conversation this week.
- Pray that God will develop in you a heart of prayer and dependence on Him.
Further Reading
- Read all of II Timothy 1.
- Cross reference passages: 2 Pet 3:1, James 4, I Timothy 4:14
(1) Earle, R. (1981). 2 Timothy. In F. E. Gaebelein (Ed.), The Expositor's Bible Commentary, Volume 11: Ephesians through Philemon (F. E. Gaebelein, Ed.) (395). Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing House.